Burlington board votes to impose teachers contract

After failing to find common ground while bargaining with the district's teachers, the Burlington School Board approved a resolution to adopt a one-year employment policy, essentially imposing a teacher contract, at Thursday night's meeting.(Photo11: ALEXANDRE SILBERMAN/for the FREE PRESS)

By voting for the resolution on Thursday night, the School Board will implement the policy instead of continuing contract negotiations with the teachers union for the current fiscal year.

Compensation for teachers on the new salary grid outlined in the policy average 3.2 percent higher than the previous fiscal year.

Union members wait outside trying to get in to Thursday night's Burlington School Board meeting. By voting for the resolution on Thursday night, the school board will implement the policy instead of continuing contract negotiations with the teachers' union for the current fiscal year.(Photo11: ALEXANDRE SILBERMAN/for the FREE PRESS)

A statement released by the board says residents will see that they've made significant concessions. But the Burlington Education Association says the board has chosen "division, chaos and confrontation" instead of collaborating with the union to reach a contract agreement.

The teachers' union says leaders are weighing options that include a potential strike.